As the common man feels the sting of rising onion prices, the government continues to evade responsibility for the crisis.

A day after agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said rising onion prices were good for farmers, telecom minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said the prices have
nothing to do with the government as it does not sell onions.

"Ask the vendors and traders to purchase it at lower prices and sell it at lower prices. Does the government sell onions? Ask the vendors and traders, not us," Sibal told reporters.

The Centre has reportedly directed the states to take action against traders and speculators who are keeping onion prices artificially high by taking advantage of the seasonal shortage.